Specialized American equipment will work on the construction of the Vertical Gas Corridor

A specialized horizontal drilling rig - American Augers DD600 - will make its operational debut in Bulgaria. The equipment will be used by GBS Energy Solutions, part of Glavbolgarstroy, for the development of the strategic Vertical Gas Corridor project.

The high-tech machine comes from the USA and includes equipment and additional systems that will allow it to pass through hard-to-reach areas. This makes it one of the most efficient and innovative drilling systems ever used in Bulgaria and the only machine of this class in the Balkans.

Innovative equipment

The American Augers DD600 is a 300-ton horizontal directional drilling (HDD) machine designed to overcome significant obstacles such as rivers, railways and highways. The American Augers DD600 can drill large diameter and long holes, making it ideal for complex infrastructure projects. 

The machine will operate at four locations along the crossings of the Struma River and around the Strumeshnitsa River, as well as at other key sections along the route of the strategic gas corridor.

Additional machines

The American Augers DD600 is equipped with additional high-tech equipment that enhances its efficiency and flexibility. It includes a high-pressure water pump, a bentonite recycling and mixing system, as well as specialized drilling equipment - rods, expanders and drill heads.

The implementation of the American Augers DD600 provides numerous advantages for GBS Energy Solutions, which specialises in the construction of linear infrastructure. The machine replaces previous drilling methods, which cannot reach the same level of efficiency, precision and scale. A team of drillers has undergone specialized training in the USA in order to work with the DD600, something that ensures that the equipment will be used at maximum efficiency.

The American Augers DD600 is the only machine of this class in the Balkans. It is a great advantage for us to have such high-tech equipment because it will not only accelerate our work on the Vertical Gas Corridor but will also lay the foundation for future infrastructure projects that require high-tech solutions," said Zara Kiziryan-Kalcheva, CEO of GBS Energy Solutions.

She added that the nearest similar machine is located in Germany and is reserved for work on projects until the end of 2026, which only emphasizes the importance of having such equipment in Bulgaria.

With the implementation of this technology, Glavbolgarstroy once again demonstrates its leading role in the construction of strategic projects, relying on innovation and efficiency that meet the highest international standards.

This is not the first high-level mechanization that GBS Energy Solutions has implemented in its arsenal. The company follows global trends in specialized equipment and new technologies and aims to integrate high-end machines to cover large-scale projects related to the strategic development of Bulgaria.

Over the past year, the company, part of Glavbolgarstroy, has invested in drilling machines, drying installations, welding equipment, among many others. In order to be able to use the full capacity of the machines that arrive from abroad, the company insists on the comprehensive preparation of its teams, which undergo specialized training outside of Bulgaria.

Translated by Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov